Strong Start for Bulldogs at Head of Housatonic

Oct 06, 2007

Oct. 6, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -
Rowing upstream on its home course, Yale took on an open field at the Head of the Housatonic Regatta, Saturday. The day was highlighted by a second place finish for the 1V in the Collegiate Eights and a third place for the 1F in the Novice Eights. With only three weeks of basic training under their belts, the Bulldogs put on what Head Coach Andy Card referred to as a "gritty performance" to open the fall season.

"Today was the first time we have raced at anywhere close to race cadence," Card said. "My general reaction to the day was that is was a good start to the season, in that I think the guys raced appropriately for what we've done to date on the water. We haven't really rowed in eights all that much, and it was fun for the guys to get in the big boat(s) and have a go at it."

The Bulldogs even managed to hold their own in heats with Yale's own Heavyweight boats.

The Elis' 2V and 3V also competed in the race, finishing sixth and eighth respectively.

In the Novice Eights, the Yale 1F placed third with a time of 14:07.499. The Yale and Brown Heavyweight 1F boats finished first and second.

"The freshmen walk-ons deserve credit for racing it up today," Card concluded. "They only started rowing at the beginning of the semester and were rather impressive for being so feisty with limited practice time. You always remember your first race, since everything is so new. I hope that those guys really enjoyed it."

The Bulldogs will travel to Cambridge, Mass. for the Head of the Charles on Oct. 21.